There are plans to increase parking charges for visitors and tourists at 20 or more public car parks in Devon.

South Hams Council has decided to introduce higher rates for non-residents from April 2025.

Visitor parking fees could double the amount paid by residents, but a final decision on pricing has not yet been made.

The authority will be one of the first in England to introduce a two-tier parking charging policy across all its car parks.

South Hams district council leader Julián Brasil told the BBC the extra money raised was needed to pay for waste collection, keep leisure centers open and look after beaches and streets.

He said each local household would be able to register two cars for parking at the local rate.

Any other vehicles in the household would have to pay visitor fees.

Second home owners and people staying in self-catering accommodation will not receive the resident parking fee, he said.

“I think it’s a fair way to do it,” Mr. Brazil continued.

“Obviously no one likes to impose fees or taxes but in the end they (visitors) put a lot of stress on all the services during the summer.

“Thousands more people visit South Hams during the summer, putting stress on bins, beaches, street scenes, I think they should pay their share.”

James Norton, director of Toad Hall Cottages, which has 1,300 holiday lets, 500 of them in South Hams, said: “What we should do as an area is attract people here.

He said “everyone” needed tourism “whether it’s vacation rental companies, shops, restaurants, bars, dry cleaners and laundry companies.”

“So, in my opinion, giving them another reason not to be here seems crazy.”

Isabella Day, owner of Remarkable Goldsmiths in Dartmouth, told the BBC: “It’s probably a good idea.

“Hopefully this doesn’t drive away tourism because I think the type of people who come to Dartmouth are already willing to pay for parking.

“As a person who lives here, I think it’s a brilliant idea because it would be better for me if I could find a parking space.”

The Parking Association said it was up to “councils to determine their parking charges in line with local needs and demands to best support their own residents and businesses, as well as cater for visitors”.

A decision on the exact level of fees will be made at a later date.